Medical History of Patients to Be Compiled Electronically

Dubai Foreign governments and international companies showcased the latest advances in health care technology on the opening day of the 35th Arab Health Exhibition and Congress at the Dubai Exhibition Centre yesterday.

The event, which is the centre’s biggest to date, was inaugurated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Over 55,000 visitors are expected to attend the exhibition, which features more than 2,700 companies from 70 countries. Organisers attribute the large turnout to the Middle East’s burgeoning health care sector which has enjoyed robust growth despite the global economic downturn.

Simon Page, Group Director of the Life Sciences Division of organizers IIR Middle East, said: “The health care world has descended on the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress, which has again confirmed it is one of the world’s most important health care exhibitions.

“Arab Health provides an unrivalled opportunity for professionals to bring their knowledge and understanding up to date and is a testament to the continuing development of the region’s health care sector.”

UK Business Ambassador Lord Ara Darzi, a former UK government health minister, addressed senior surgeons and clinicians from across the region on the first day of the congress.

Lord Darzi was part of a delegation from UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), a UK government organisation that helps UK-based companies operate abroad.

Jane Grady, Head of Life Sciences at UKTI, said: “UKTI is here to showcase the UK life sciences sector as a world leader in innovation. Our presence here is increased this year due to additional government funding and support, which means we are able to do even more to promote UK companies and show off UK innovations and expertise.”

The New Zealand government’s economic development agency also supported several New Zealand health care companies who were eyeing expansion at the conference.

Wayne Mikkelsen, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Commissioner, said: “The Gulf’s growing health sector is of great strategic importance to New Zealand and presents considerable opportunities for trade with the GCC.”

Among the other countries represented at the event was Germany, which has mounted its biggest-ever representation at a health event overseas with over 400 companies participating in the event.

There are also large representations from China, UAE, UK, US and India.

Dubai (WAM) The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) yesterday announced plans to implement a new Electronic Record System, which will for the first time, compile a patient’s medical history, including prescriptions and test results.

Qadi Saeed Al Murooshid, director-general of the DHA, said a clinical data depository will store all patient information. “The aim is to use this system across Dubai, in both private and public hospitals. Initially, we will use it in DHA hospitals and health clinics.”

The system will be operational in 2012.

“Presently we have an electronic system, but this [new] system will be state-of-the art that will greatly benefit the patients who visit our hospitals and health centres,” he said.

Al Murooshid briefed His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, during their tour of the Arab Health Congress.

Al Murooshid also gave the leaders an overview of the progress made in the Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital project where work began in June 2009 and the Al Maktoum Emergency and Trauma Centre in Jebel Ali.

The hospital was ordered to be built by Shaikh Mohammad as a gift to the children of the UAE.

Al Murooshid said that the project is being implemented on a priority basis to benefit the children of the UAE and the region. “As per your vision, it will be built as the state-of-the-art paediatric hospital to serve the children of Dubai and the region and provide them the latest medical care available,” he said.

The 200-bed hospital is located in the Al Wasl hospital premises. The director general said the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2011 and he also highlighted that the project won the prestigious ‘Future Health Project’ award at the World Architecture Festival.

The dedicated paediatric hospital is the only ongoing project of its kind in the region and will cater to children from birth up to 14 years of age, and in some cases up to 16 years of age.